Mushfiqur Rahim holds Bangladesh together

A stubborn innings from Mushfiqur Rahim boosted Bangladesh to 273 on the opening day of their Test match against England U-19 at Taunton. After Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat, they made a shaky start with Mark Turner taking 5 for 57, but Rahim held things together with 88. England then closed at 33 for 0.

Adam Harrison and Ravi Bopara both made early breakthroughs for England, with Harrison removing both openers in the 20s, including Nafis Iqbal, who was called up for the national squad to play in the ICC Champions Trophy in England next month. Bopara then had Aftab Ahmed, who has also been called up, and Dhiman Ghosh caught behind by Steven Davies, the wicketkeeper, in quick succession, and Bangladesh had slumped to 84 for 4.

However, Nazimuddin and Nadif Chowdhury forged a recovery stand of 104 to put Bangladesh back on track until Bopara struck again for the third time when he trapped Nazimuddin for 35. Nafid then fell almost immediately when he was caught by Samit Patel off Turner for 36.

Turner then pegged Bangladesh back further with two more wickets. Nazmul Hossain and Enamul Haque jnr both fell cheaply, caught by Davis, to leave the score at 167 for 8. But during that time, Rahim was quietly going about his business. He hit 10 fours and three sixes in his innings, which lasted over three hours.

He received good support from Shahadat Hossain, who became Turner's fourth victim for 12, and from Ashim Chowdhury, who hung about until Rahim was lbw to Turner shortly before the close.